Commons snubs 'inferior' recycled Christmas cards

The House of Commons is refusing to sell recycled Christmas cards because they would be "vastly inferior" to ones already on offer, the Standard can reveal.

The Speaker's Art Fund has turned down a request from Green Party leader Caroline Lucas to provide recycled cards on the grounds of quality.

The decision has sparked a backlash among MPs led by Ms Lucas, who said: "The House of Commons should be setting an example of environmental best practice, yet on this issue it is completely failing to do so." A Commons spokesman said recycled cards could be more expensive, and that plans were being put in place to offer electronic cards in future years.

The Speaker's Art Fund is a charitable trust which helps manage art in the Commons.